Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, reaffirmed an ambitious environmental goal for his nation: to achieve zero deforestation by 2030.
He did so in the framework of the COP30 which will begin in a few days in Belém, “the gateway to the Amazon,” which today makes Brazil the focus of the green agenda.
The president reinforced this day shortly after a key environmental fact was revealed.
Brazil reached its lowest deforestation figure in federal conservation areas of the Amazon since 2008.
This means that, this year, only 134 square kilometers were cleared.
Therefore, Da Silva reaffirmed the commitment to reach zero deforestation before 2030.
Towards zero deforestation in Brazil: the latest historic reduction
The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) confirmed that between August 2024 and July 2025, deforestation in the Amazon was reduced by 74% compared to 2022.
This mark represents the lowest level in 17 years.
This was highlighted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his visit to the state of Pará.
“This year we achieved the lowest deforestation rate in the Federal Conservation Units of the Amazon since 2008,” he celebrated.
The president attributed these results to the work of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
He also highlighted the fundamental role of the local and indigenous communities.
Lula emphasized that these populations “have been protecting and caring for the forest in their territories for centuries,” recognizing their role as guardians of the Amazon.
Zero deforestation in Brazil advances in different areas
The positive trend extended to the Cerrado biome, where deforestation fell by 62%, reaching 31 square kilometers.
This is the second lowest level since 2007 in this region, considered one of the most biodiverse on the planet.
ICMBio described these data as “historic” and reported the execution of 312 enforcement operations in the Amazon and 91 control actions in the Cerrado over the last year.
The operations involved 474 environmental agents and resulted in more than 400 recorded infractions, which demonstrates the reinforcement of control policies.
Brazil, heading to COP30 as host and with the Amazon at the center
Brazil will use these results as a showcase at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Belém.
Lula assured that “Brazil will present to the world a living, diverse, and sovereign Amazon, where it is possible to care for the forest while ensuring dignity and opportunities for those who live in and protect it.”
The president emphasized that his government seeks to balance environmental conservation with the social well-being of the Amazonian populations, whom he considers allies in the fight against climate change.
“The forest should not be seen as an obstacle to progress, but as a life opportunity for millions of Brazilians,” Lula expressed on his social networks.
The commitment to achieve zero deforestation by 2030 represents an ambitious challenge.
However, according to Brazilian authorities, it already shows tangible progress with this 74% reduction in just three years.
